When Iranian coach Abadin Zan Karimi stepped into the training hall in Iraq three months ago, he wasn’t just meeting a new team, he was stepping into the hopes of a group of young athletes who had never tasted international competition before.
Three months later, at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, those same boys are standing tall, their confidencebuilt on the voice of the man who believed in them first.
Karimi has coached goalball for 25 years, but this project ‘feels different’ to him.
“These kids want to improve every single day. Their desire is unbelievable. Goalball is difficult because it’s made for visually impaired athletes. It takes patience. But they never give up. And that inspires me,” he shares, watching his players warm up.
His journey with the Iraqi team began when the national federation reached out, asking him to build a competitive squad in a short period of time. With only three months on the clock, he started to train them.
“The facilities in Iraq are very good, so in three months, the boys grew faster than anyone expected. Suddenly, they were ready for the world.”
Among the players, one name lights up Karimi’s face is Abdullah Khalid. “He is my favourite athlete… the kind of player who listens, learns, and fights. I see a very bright future in him,” he told the Local Organising Committee.
Karimi also expressed his appreciation towards the Iraqi federation. “Their support is amazing. They welcomed me like family. Their facilities are high standard, and they trusted me fully. That trust is why the boys are here today.”
Now in Dubai, Karimi watches them compete with pride as they face some of the strongest teams: Iran, Korea, Kazakhstan, and Iraq. The competition is fierce, but he says the experience is priceless.
“Coming to Dubai for AYPG 2025 feels like stepping into a dream. The facilities are excellent, and the level of competition is so high. It’s exactly what these boys needed – to feel what real international sport is like.”
Ten Asian countries have joined this year’s goalball competition at the Mizhar Sports Center in Al Tawar. Iraq, Iran, Korea, and the Philippines celebrated victories on the penultimate day, but for Karimi, winning is just one part of the story.
As his players leave the court – smiling, laughing, shoulders back – he sees something far more valuable than medals.
The Iraqi team is supported by Chery, one of the partners of the Asian Paralympic Committee.
“My dream is to see them competing at the LA2028 Paralympics. And if they keep this spirit, I know we will get there,”Karimi added.
For these young athletes, the journey is only beginning. And at the heart of it, stands a coach who believed that three months was enough – not just to build a team, but to build a future.
